How do you change a third brake light bulb?

Category: automotive auto safety
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Twist the bulb socket at the rear of the housing in a counterclockwise direction and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the bulb from the socket and insert a new bulb. Replace the lamp housing in the reverse order. Check your owner's guide for specific directions regarding your pickup's third brake light.



Likewise, people ask, are 3rd brake lights required?

Federal law mandates that all vehicles have the third brake light outfitted within the car. Additionally, the third light must be comparable to the other brake lights on the vehicle so that it is not distracting to the drivers behind the vehicle.

Secondly, can you get pulled over for a third brake light out? As mentioned, all cars 86 and up require a third brake light. You can remove it if you like, but you won't pass your state inspection without it. If a cop is behind you, he may pull you over for not having it, as it's a pretty important safety feature.

Moreover, how much does it cost to change a brake light bulb?

It's almost always a minimal cost for brake light bulb replacement as a bulb is $5 to $10 and the labour charge is between $10 and $20, although some designs are slightly more.

How do you change a rear brake light bulb?

If you find a dead bulb, grab a Phillip's head or other screwdriver and follow these simple steps to replace:

  1. Unscrew the Taillight Housing. Remove the tail light housing screws.
  2. Pull Out the Light Housing. Tail lamp assembly coming out.
  3. Unscrew the Bulb Holder.
  4. Pull Out the Old Bulb.

36 Related Question Answers Found

Is it illegal to have a brake light out?

No but you should get it fixed as soon as possible. The police could (but it's unlikely) pull you over about it and issue you with a warning to get it fixed within a short period of time. Your vehicle is unroadworthy as it requires a brake light on each side of the vehicle.

Can you get a ticket for a broken brake light?

Yes, police can legally pull you over and issue a ticket for having a broken tail light. The wording on the citation will be either "no tail light" or "broken tail light." You're lucky the police officer just issued a warning

What is 3rd brake light?

Third brake lights are also known as centre high mount stop lamps (CHMSL) because they are commonly installed high and smack at the center of a vehicle's rear window or deck lid where it's most visible to tailing motorists. Safety is definitely improved with this light in place.

How many brake lights does a car need?

Two head lights and two tail lights are required, along with brake and turn lights, and a rear license light.

What is high mount brake light?

Centre high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) It also provides a redundant stop light signal in the event of a stop lamp malfunction. In North America where rear turn signals are permitted to emit red light, the CHMSL also helps to disambiguate brake lights from rear position lights and turn signal lights.

Does third brake light have to work to pass inspection?

We all have to do it: the annual auto inspection. The third brake light wasn't standard in vehicles years ago; it's applicable to 1985 and later cars, and 1994 and later trucks that have the feature. "It's required to have all three stop lights. Left , right and the center," says Jones.

Can I fix my own brake light?


For a straightforward light or fuse replacement, you can fix your tail lights yourself for a fraction of the price. You can be cited by a traffic officer if your car tail lights are not illuminating or broken, so don't waste any time.

Will AutoZone replace brake light?

An AutoZone store employee may be able to help you replace your brake lights/tail lights, headlights, and other exterior car lights, but the company does not officially offer this as a service, an AutoZone corporate customer service representative said.

Should you replace both brake lights at the same time?

' The answer is, no, it's not required to replace both bulbs. There are some advantages, however, to getting a professional Ace Auto Parts mechanic to change both lights at the same time. The most important reason for changing out all headlights at the same time is that you don't want both headlamps to go dark.

Does Autozone change light bulbs?

If it's required to remove parts of the care, such as the windshield wiper fluid or battery, then Autozone will not replace the bulb for you. Autozone doesn't offer mechanic services, though they are able to replace headlight bulbs in certain situations.

How do you change a brake light switch?

How to Replace a Brake Light Switch
  1. Open the driver door of the car and kneel down inside so that you can see and reach the underside of the dash, where the pedals connect.
  2. Remove the two or four Phillips-head screws that are behind the brake pedal and that hold the electrical cover in place.
  3. Remove the cover.

How much is a tail light?


At an average, the cost of a tail light bulb would be around $20 to $100. The whole tail light assembly would cost around $200 to $2000 depending on the inclusions and the quality of the bulbs used. This does not cover replacement and installation costs.

How can I check my brake lights by myself?

It's simple enough to test your brakes. Just have a friend stand behind the car while you step on the brake pedal and have him or her tell you if everything looks OK. If you're working alone, rig up a mirror or lay a broomstick on the pedal and tuck it into the seat, then walk behind the car and look for yourself.

How do you check a brake light fuse?

If current is reaching the output side of the fuse, suspect a fault with the wiring to the brake switch or switch itself. Attach the test lamp to a suitable earth and again hold the brake pedal down with the ignition on. Touch the probe of the test light to each of the switch terminals in turn.